On Saturday I walked down Park Avenue to see Will Ryman’s giant flower sculptures “The Roses,” which are installed at the medians between 57th and 67th Streets, up close.  They bring a sense of playfulness to a neighborhood that desperately needs it, but they didn’t hold my attention for too long.  They’re more powerful as drive-by apparitions than as figures.

Far more compelling were the flowers in the window at the Valentino boutique on Madison Avenue.  The House of Valentino is doing flowers two ways.  They’re embellishing garments and accessories with fabric and leather flowers.  (Michelle Williams wore one of these lovely flowered dresses to the Golden Globe Awards last month.)  And they’re making dresses and bags with exquisite flower-printed silk.  Peering into the store, I got a sense that spring was almost here.